About 70 College of Charleston students are taking part on a unique course that will allow them to examine the history, content, legacy, and controversy of the hip-hop music industry.
The course entitled “Hip-Hop: Evolution and Impact “ is believed to be the first hip-hop course to be offered in South Carolina. Roneka Matheny, professor in African-American Studies will teach this Summer course from July 6-August 5, 2010.
“This course seeks to understand how the artistic expression of the ignored American underclass has evolved into unimaginable economic success with a worldwide cultural impact in only four decades” says Matheny.
One of Matheny’s goals is to introduce a new generation of young people to the history of a genre of music that uses obscene language to voice opinions on highly controversial topics. Students are required to keep journals in which they will record their reflections, attitudes and opinions toward hip-hip and its’ influence on society.
“I found that hip-hop music lovers can be found in some strange places–namely, among the faculty and staff here at the College of Charleston,” says Matheny.
